Modelling and Validation of a 6 MV Compact Linear Accelerator via Monte Carlo Simulation using Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE).

To accurately model and validate the 6 MV Elekta Compactlinear accelerator using the Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE). In particular, this study focuses on the precise calibration and validation of critical parameters, including jaw collimator positioning, electron source nominal energy, flattening filter geometry, and electron source spot size, which are often not provided in technical documentation. Methods: Simulation of the Elekta Compact6 MV linear accelerator was performed using the Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE) v.

Global Perspectives on Returning Genetic Research Results in Parkinson Disease.

Background And Objectives: In the era of precision medicine, genetic test results have become increasingly relevant in the care of patients with Parkinson disease (PD). While large research consortia are performing widespread research genetic testing to accelerate discoveries, debate continues about whether, and to what extent, the results should be returned to patients. Ethically, it is imperative to keep participants informed, especially when findings are potentially actionable.

PHIStruct: Improving phage-host interaction prediction at low sequence similarity settings using structure-aware protein embeddings.

Motivation: Recent computational approaches for predicting phage-host interaction have explored the use of sequence-only protein language models to produce embeddings of phage proteins without manual feature engineering. However, these embeddings do not directly capture protein structure information and structure-informed signals related to host specificity.

Results: We present PHIStruct, a multilayer perceptron that takes in structure-aware embeddings of receptor-binding proteins, generated via the structure-aware protein language model SaProt, and then predicts the host from among the ESKAPEE genera.

Systematic review and meta-analysis on probiotics as treatment for food allergies among pediatric patients: A 2024 update.

This systematic review updated the available evidence on the effectiveness and safety of probiotics as treatment of food allergy among pediatric patients. We conducted a systematic search for all randomized controlled trials available until March 13, 2024 that evaluated the effectiveness and safety of probiotics for treating pediatric food allergy. Two authors independently conducted the search, screening, and data extraction.

Design of a Multiepitope Pan-Proteomic mRNA Vaccine Construct Against African Swine Fever Virus: A Reverse Vaccinology Approach.

African swine fever (ASF), caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV), is a highly contagious disease with devastating effects on the global pig industry. This warrants the development of effective control strategies, such as vaccines. However, previously developed inactivated vaccines have proven ineffective, while live-attenuated vaccines carry inherent safety risks.

Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology Position Statement on the Use of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in the Management of Aortic Stenosis.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been established as an effective treatment modality in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and the uptake of TAVI is rapidly growing in the Asia-Pacific region. However, there exist a heterogeneity in the management of aortic stenosis and the use of TAVI among countries in the region. Reasons for these differences include anatomic variations, disparity in healthcare resources and infrastructure, and the lack of consensus on the optimal management of AS in the Asia-Pacific region.

Factors Associated with Management of Workplace Violence Competence Among Chinese Nursing Interns.

Purpose: The cases of workplace violence (WPV) experienced by nurses and nursing students in recent years has become alarming high. However, managing and developing WPV competence among nursing students remain underreported. Therefore, this study investigated the current status of management of workplace violence competence (MWVC) and identify associated factors affecting their MWVC among nursing interns.

The urgency of now to end HIV vertical transmission for pregnant and breastfeeding women and their children in Asia and the Pacific.

The global strategy to #EndAIDS is underpinned by a call to end all inequities and to ensure no-one is left behind; but inequities continue, and people are still being left behind. Despite the advances seen in some populations and in some geographical areas, with ongoing high rates of HIV vertical transmission, ending HIV for pregnant and breastfeeding women and their children must be prioritised urgently. Focused on Asia and the Pacific, the region with the second largest number of people with HIV, in this viewpoint we highlight the heterogenous nature of global and regional success in eliminating vertical transmission of HIV.

Environmental factors affecting the BMI of older adults in the Philippines spatially assessed using machine learning.

This study aimed to assess the environmental variables affecting the Body Mass Index of older adults at neighborhood levels (1 ha) while mapping probability distributions of normal, overweight-obese, and underweight older adults. We applied a data-driven method that integrates open-access remote sensing products and geospatial data, along with the first nutritional survey in the Philippines with geo-locations conducted in 2021. We used ensemble machine learning of different presence-only and presence-absence models, all subjected to hyperparameter tuning and variable decorrelation.

Molecular characterization and zoonotic risk assessment of spp. in Philippine bats.

is a genus of parasitic protozoa known to cause diarrheal disease that impacts both humans and animals through infection of various vertebrate species. Bats are recognized as reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens, including . The Philippines, renowned for its rich biodiversity, is home to diverse bat species, providing a unique ecological setting to investigate infection dynamics.

Advocacy in Action: International Patient Group Improves Hereditary Angioedema Diagnosis and Care Across the Asia-Pacific.

This study demonstrates that patient advocacy groups significantly enhance medication availability and improve diagnosis of hereditary angioedema (HAE), particularly in emerging economies within the Asia-Pacific region. This study supports integrating patient advocacy group involvement into management guidelines, emphasising their role in improving access to diagnostics and treatment for HAE.

Phase 3, Randomized, Comparison Study of Intracameral Bimatoprost Implant 10 µg and Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty.

Purpose: To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect and safety of up to two bimatoprost implant administrations versus selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT).

Design: Phase 3 (Stage 2), randomized, 24-month, multicenter, patient- and efficacy evaluator-masked, paired-eye clinical trial (NCT02507687).

Participants: Patients (n=183) with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension inadequately managed with topical IOP-lowering medication for reasons other than efficacy.

Incentives for smoking cessation.

Background: Financial incentives (money, vouchers, or self-deposits) can be used to positively reinforce smoking cessation. They may be used as one-off rewards, or in various schedules to reward steps towards sustained smoking abstinence (known as contingency management). They have been used in workplaces, clinics, hospitals, and community settings, and to target particular populations.

Differences in gut microbial diversity and composition between growth phenotypes of farmed juvenile sandfish, Holothuria scabra.

Background: The observed growth variability of different aquaculture species in captivity hinders its large-scale production. For the sandfish Holothuria scabra, a tropical sea cucumber species, there is a scarcity of information on its intestinal microbiota in relation to host growth, which could provide insights into the processes that affect growth and identify microorganisms with probiotic or biochemical potential that could improve current production strategies. To address this gap, this study used 16 S rRNA amplicon sequencing to characterize differences in gut and fecal microbiota among large and small juveniles reared in floating ocean nurseries.

Low clinical activity score, 'progressive' thyroid eye disease: presentations of 1439 patients from a tertiary centre in Hong Kong.

Background: To report the presenting clinical, serological and treatment profiles of 1439 patients with thyroid eye disease (TED) from a tertiary centre in Hong Kong.

Study Populations: Consecutive patients with TED presented to the Thyroid Eye Clinic (TEC), the Chinese University of Hong Kong between 2014 and 2023.

Methods: Prospective cohort and masked review of medical records and orbital images.

A Novel Real-Time Threshold Algorithm for Closed-Loop Epilepsy Detection and Stimulation System.

Epilepsy, as a common brain disease, causes great pain and stress to patients around the world. At present, the main treatment methods are drug, surgical, and electrical stimulation therapies. Electrical stimulation has recently emerged as an alternative treatment for reducing symptomatic seizures.

Microvascular decompression: a contemporary update.

Background: Microvascular decompression (MVD) is the gold-standard surgical treatment for cranial nerve compression disorders, including trigeminal neuralgia (TN), hemifacial spasm (HFS), and glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN). This review synthesizes historical milestones, recent advances, and evolving techniques in MVD, with a primary focus on these conditions.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, SpringerLink, Google Scholar, BioMed Central, Scopus, and ScienceDirect.

Association Between Dynapenia/Sarcopenia, Extrapyramidal Symptoms, Negative Symptoms, Body Composition, and Nutritional Status in Patients with Chronic Schizophrenia.

This study aimed to determine the association between chronic schizophrenia, extrapyramidal symptoms (EPSs), body composition, nutritional status, and dynapenia/sarcopenia. Data from 68 chronic patients with schizophrenia were analyzed using Spearman's rho correlation coefficients, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Cramér's V statistics. Among the participants, 32.

Country-specific key lifestyle factors and health outcomes for resource allocation in the general population: a network analysis across 29 countries.

Background: We aimed to identify the central lifestyle, the most impactful among lifestyle factor clusters; the central health outcome, the most impactful among health outcome clusters; and the bridge lifestyle, the most strongly connected to health outcome clusters, across 29 countries to optimise resource allocation for local holistic health improvements.

Methods: From July 2020 to August 2021, we surveyed 16 461 adults across 29 countries who self-reported changes in 18 lifestyle factors and 13 health outcomes due to the pandemic. Three networks were generated by network analysis for each country: lifestyle, health outcome, and bridge networks.

Detection of Eimeria oocysts in chicken feces using flotation recovery with sucrose or saturated saline solution.

Purpose: Flotation methods are widely used to detect oocysts/cysts of protozoans and eggs of helminths, except trematodes. However, details regarding the concentration and recovery rates of these parasites are poorly understood.

Methods: Using Eimeria tenella oocysts as a model parasite, the present study evaluated three check points: (1) the proportion of parasites that remain floating in flotation solution (sucrose or saturated saline) during centrifugation, (2) the proportion of oocysts that naturally float after addition of flotation solution after centrifugation, and (3) the rate of recovery on cover slips after completion of the flotation protocol.